At The Park

The kids had fun at the park. We even walked some of the mile long path after we left the playground. It felt nice to spend some time outside.

Playing

Gage is finally big enough to sit in the Baby Sit and Step, saucer chair thingy...I don't what you call it... Anyway, he loves it and has figured out how to hit the buttons to make noise and how to spin the spinner and make the song come on. I am so thankful that he is finally enjoying some of these baby toys!

Piano Lesson

This week we will have Sierra's third piano lesson. She is progressing nicely. Her teacher, Mrs. Audrey is great. She is very patient! I love the books she is using. They were first printed in 1967 and have only been updated twice since then. Once in 1968 and then last year, I think. We have the 1968 version. I think they are a good example of why everything does not need to be super flashy and plugged into a computer to be effective. Sierra learned the first song within a few minutes. We have now moved on to using both hands and four different notes. She does not like to practice, she would rather just bang on the keyboard. She comes through when she has to though. The other book is piano theory. Mrs. Audrey says most piano teachers don't start kids this young on theory but she feels they can handle it. I think she is right. I think it must be helpful to have an understanding of how the piano works and what all the symbols are. I wish I had a better picture of her but I did not want to lug the big camera in and start flashing away while she was supposed to be listening.

Dinner Time

This is the kids sitting down to dinner last night. Sierra and I had baked spaghetti and garlic bread and Gage just enjoyed the view from on top of the table. Sierra's puppy squad joined us as well. I probably shouldn't allow her to have toys at the table but she takes these puppies everywhere with her. They make her happy and she sat down and ate all of her dinner, so I guess I'm OK with it. We also enjoyed some pretty flowers from Mimi. She sent them after Sierra's little accident. Sierra couldn't believe she got flowers - she was so excited by them. She keeps moving them from place to place trying to find the "perfect spot." I was going to post a picture of her chin - but decided I would spare you all. I'm just praying that when we take the band aids off we are going to have a good and healed ouchie and no lingering marks or scars...

Hanging With The Kids

Today was a beautiful day. After the birthday party we came home and spent some time in the backyard. Gage was quite happy to sit in his Bumbo chair while Sierra and I raked and bagged leaves. Those Bumbo chairs are great! Anyway, we came in and cleaned up and Sierra played on her new keyboard while Gage sat on the couch and looked around with such a curious look on his face. He is so incredibly expressive and seems to be so fascinated by everything. It's no wonder considering the world is a new place to him but I don't remember Sierra being as interested or expressing as much. I love seeing the differences and similarities between the two of them.

School Birthday Parties

Sierra was feeling better today so we went to one of Sierra's classmates birthday party. Previously we have attended parties at a private home, Chuck E Cheese, Monkey Joes, and Burger King. Today the party was a Build A Bear Workshop party at Bare Ware Pottery. Each child got to stuff their own bear and then decorate and name it. There was also the usual pizza, soda, and, of course, birthday cake. Lots of Sierra's little friends were there and she had a really good time.

Sick Children and the Olympics

Is it just me or does it seem that children get sick at the most inopportune times? Sierra has been suppressing a cough for a few days now but last night she and Gage both tossed and turned and sniffled all night long. Sierra has a fever that we have been controlling with Tylenol and Motrin.Poor Gage, there is not much I can do for him. I have some Vicks and a humidifier. I hate having to keep Sierra out of school. For one, she obviously misses whatever lessons they are working on; and two, it screws up my schedule. I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that she will be home again tomorrow. I really hope when she starts Kindergarten in the fall her immune system will be built up and we won't have to go through this again. She had hardly spent a day in her life being ill until she started preschool.

And as much as I enjoy watching the Olympics (and I really do enjoy them, especially the Winter Olympics) I am ready for them to be over. I have stayed up late every night this week watching. I need some sleep!

Everything Music Field Trip

Sierra's class took a field trip to the local music store last week. I was excited to go with her because for one reason or another I have not been able to make it to any other field trips they have taken this year. The music store was fun. The class was met at the door and given a tour of the shop. The owner then gathered the children around a large keyboard and played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with just the piano effect. He slowly added other effects so the kids could pick out the different sounds. He was joined by a guitar player and a clarinet player. The kids had a blast. The adults were trying to decide which song to play next and one jokingly suggested Margaritaville. You can imagine how we all laughed when one little girl said "I've been there!" She probably knew all the words too...

Saturday Morning

We woke up(early)this morning to sunny skies. After weeks and weeks of rain and the snow storm yesterday a bright and sunny day is very much needed. The kids and I went to the hospital this morning to vist S. She had a gorgeous little baby boy. We plan on spending the rest of the day making Valentine's cookies and playing in the melting snow. Oh, I just can't wait to wash all those wet and muddy clothes!

Snow Day

A rare snow fell across Georgia yesterday. Sierra had wonderful time playing in it and we made several trips outdoors throughout the day. Delilah also loved the snow - she ran around the yard attacking snow mounds and licking the ice. Lucky Gage - he slept through all the fun.

My Little Charmer

Here is some good video of Gage - please pretend that I didn't knock the camera over at the end of the second video, thank you.

On the Wii

Sierra got an Alvin and The Chimpmunks game for the Wii. It took a little while for her to get the hang of it but she is getting better.

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland

Bought a beautiful pop-up book today. It is Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Robert Sabuda. The centerfold pop-ups are incredible but there are also little hidden surprises throughout the book. There is an accordion-like pull up tab that you can look down to see Alice falling down the rabbit hole. On the side of the big pop-up pictures is the text where there are many more smaller pop-ups. Sierra has really enjoyed looking through it and we began reading the story too. My only concern is the delicacy of the book and pictures. This one is going to have to stay on mom's bookshelf.

Hollywood Connection

We went to the Hollywood Connection this afternoon. As much as I dislike Columbus there really is a lot of kid friendly things to do here. Hollywood Connection is a movie theatre that plays mostly children and family movies and has a huge play area attached. The play area has everything from rides, to bumper cars, to an arcade, to put put golf. It is very reasonably priced as well. We bought a card with 40 points on it for 6 bucks - the normal price is 10$ but we got a military discount. So for 6 (or 10) dollars you can easily spend a few hours and ride everything - twice. Gage was great and never cried. He seemed really taken with all the bright colors and Sierra got to burn off some of that energy!